PTSD and alcoholism are two distinct yet interconnected conditions that have a significant impact on individuals’ lives. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological condition that arises from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, while alcoholism is a chronic and progressive addiction
Isolation is a powerful force that can profoundly affect our mental and emotional well-being. It is a state of being separated from others, often leading to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, it is ironic
Dual diagnosis conditions, or the co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental health disorders, can have a significant impact not only on the individual struggling with addiction but also on their family members. Addiction can cause emotional, financial, and social challenges
Anxiety or addiction can affect anyone. Unfortunately, anxiety and addiction affect a lot of people. Nearly thirty percent of Americans with a serious mental illness have a substance use disorder. Yet very few Americans receive treatment for both. When they
A holistic approach to addiction treatment can be incredibly powerful, especially for those who struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders. Holistic services play a key role in a comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment plan. If you or a loved one is
Anger is a funny emotion. It’s natural to feel antagonism when you have been wronged. Expressing anger can even be a positive thing–it allows you to move negative feelings through your body or come up with solutions to problems. But
Relationships add meaning and fulfillment to our lives. Healthy relationships can improve your mental health by enhancing security, connection and happiness. However, toxic relationships can have the opposite effect, generating stress and conflict that trigger your central nervous system and
Emotional intelligence is a guiding force that helps you succeed in all areas of life. To better understand how it can help with your mental health and addiction recovery, it’s important to recognize the 5 components of emotional intelligence. Emotional
We all have strengths and weaknesses in our personality traits, and they influence the way that we engage with the world. But people with a personality disorder experience anomalies within their personality traits, which impair their ability to function. As
Your emotions are intricately linked with your mental health. In fact, we often describe the symptoms of different psychological conditions by using words that describe feelings. Many people with depression experience deep sadness. Those with bipolar mania may express anger
Dear Renewal Lodge Visitors,
My name is John Bruna, co-founder of the Mindfulness in Recovery® Institute, and more importantly, a grateful member of the recovery community. I am incredibly fortunate to have found my recovery in 1984. Of course, I did not achieve continuous recovery through willpower or my own efforts, but through the guidance and caring support of countless others that selflessly taught me how to live through the 12 Steps.
My journey of recovery brought this once homeless, shame-based, traumatized, insecure young man to a life far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I discovered self-worth, the joy of helping others, the gifts of parenting and grandparenting, and most importantly the ability to live a meaningful and purposeful life with integrity.
One of the greatest gifts of recovery is that I have the opportunity to give back and help others discover their self-worth, dignity, and the skills to fully live lives that they find truly meaningful. This is the inspiration for developing the skills of Mindfulness in Recovery® (MIR) to meet the needs of new generations struggling with alcohol and other substance use disorders. MIR is a set of evidence-based skills designed to help people fully integrate their tools of recovery in ways that are personalized, practical, and in alignment with their deepest values.
While we train counselors and therapists throughout the United States and abroad, I personally have chosen to work directly with the amazing team and clients at Renewal Lodge to develop the model MIR 12-step program for the nation. I choose Renewal Lodge because of the vision of its mission and the dedication of its team. Renewal Lodge is an extremely rare environment in which the staff embodies the very mindfulness and 12-step practices and skills they offer their clients. The results have been beyond my expectations. It is an honor to be here and I treasure my personal time with every client I meet.
With Gratitude,
